By Cort Reynolds

UPPER SANDUSKY__The visiting Ada High School boys soccer team scored in the final minute to defeat Upper Sandusky 2-1 in a North Central Ohio Soccer Association thriller on Thursday, September 25.

Bulldog junior Andrew Allen tallied the game-winning goal on a Jacob Henson assist with just 53 seconds left to lift Ada to the clutch win.  

Ada improved its record to 8-3-2 overall and 2-2 in NCOSA play with the league victory.  

Upper Sandusky dropped to 6-6 overall and 2-2 in the NCOSA after the home defeat.

“It was a challenging game for us,” said Ada second-year head coach Aaron Acheson. “Upper Sandusky played a high defensive line, using the off-side trap, which was something we haven’t seen a lot this season.

“Thankfully we found a way to dig deep in the final key moments of the game,” he continued. “Henson played a perfectly-timed long ball that found Andrew in a great position, allowing him to go one-on-one with the keeper.

“Andrew made no mistake and slotted the ball into the back of the net with 53 seconds left to play,” he added.

The game was scoreless in the first half. Ada junior Tim Chrissobolis broke the ice with 32 minutes left on a goal courtesy of an Allen assist.

“Tim struck a brilliant shot from 25 yards out, finding the back of the net off a great ball played wide by Andrew,” Acheson recounted.

But Upper tied it 1-1 three minutes later.

“Jacob Rush came up huge, making an incredible save on a penalty kick after a foul in the box - that save was massive for us at that point in the game,” said the coach.

Allen and Henson then hooked up for the game-winner in the last minute to pull out the late victory.  

“It was a hard-fought victory on the road in league play, and that win evens our league record at 2-2,” said Acheson.

“We had to shuffle the lineup quite a bit due to injuries, but every player stepped up selflessly to help the team,” he continued. “The players made some adjustments based on how the referees were calling off-sides. 

“It was a great team effort!”

Ada put 12 shots on goal compared to 16 SOG by the Rams. Bulldog keeper Jacob Rush made 10 saves in goal.  

The Bulldogs host struggling league foe Cory-Rawson (1-10, 0-3 NCOSA) on Thursday, October 2.